Department of Childhood Education, Literacy, and TESOL

Mission

The CELT faculty and staff educate and inspire undergraduate and graduate students to become reflective leaders in diverse educational settings. We prepare and empower students while researching and modeling dynamic learning strategies that students implement in authentic field experiences. Faculty and students collaborate with local and global partners to impact curriculum design, teaching and learning.

Vision

The Department of Childhood Education, Literacy and TESOL offers a globally recognized program that prepares innovative, scholarly, and culturally responsive educators who impact and inspire diverse learning communities worldwide.

Certificates

The department has as its objectives the development of specified competencies needed for effective classroom performance. Laboratory and field experiences of increasing complexity are required and are correlated with theoretical components, providing an opportunity to apply information gathered in the program. Instructional techniques used by the department faculty will include those methods the students are expected to learn.

While the Department of Childhood Education, Literacy, and TESOL has specific prerequisite courses, students are expected to be able to demonstrate communication skills throughout the program. In addition to this, students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of learning in mathematics, science, and social sciences within appropriate parts of the program. Further, students are expected to demonstrate behaviors and dispositions commensurate with established standards for professional educators, including the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices. The following are specific admission requirements:

Satisfactory completion of 60 semester hours of credit from UNF or other regionally accredited institution(s). An Associate in Arts Degree (AA) from one of Florida's public community/state colleges or SUS schools satisfies General Education and Gordon Rule requirements.

A minimum of a C grade in all lower and upper level classes required for the major. This requirement includes all General Education and the prerequisite course, EDF1005 Intro to the Teaching Profession, which may be taken during the first semester of the junior year (EDFX005 can be used as a substitute for EDF1005).

A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 or better in all college level course work.

Passing scores (no exemptions) on all four parts of the Florida General Knowledge (GK) Test. Transferring students, students changing majors, or students who have not presented passing scores on all four parts of the GK exam will not be permitted to enroll in any upper level education courses until they have been admitted into COEHS Teacher Preparation Programs.

Professional education minors may enroll in the specified upper level education courses with the approval of a COEHS academic advisor.

Students not meeting the minimum admissions requirements for the College of Education and Human Services may apply for admission under the College's Exceptions Policy.

The State of Florida mandates certification requirements for teachers. Students should see their academic advisors frequently to obtain appropriate advisement for current certification requirements.